Freezing tray



5 Sheets-Sheet l 10)/ E 5.7/51' MM HIS ATTORNEYS i@ Har June 9, 1942. H, 1;. GEYER `2,286,080

FREEZING TRAY Filed May 22. 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1S ATTORNEYS June 9, 1942. H. D. GEYER 2,286,080

FREEZ ING TRAY Filed May 22, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 arl/e e er YBY /V l5 ATTORNEYS I Patentedl June 9, 1942 FREEZING TRAY Harvey D. Geyer, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Gen# eral Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware l Application May 22, 1936, serial No. 81,172

1s claims. (c1. 621-1085) This invention relates to freezing containers, especially such as are adapted for -use in household refrigerators.

An object of this invention is to provide a freezing pan` having a flexible metal grid and improved manually actuated means associated with said grid for elciently loosening the frozen bond of the ice blocks from both the pan and the grid, whereby to facilitate removal of the ice blocks.

Another object is to provide a stretchable flexible metal grid having manually actuatable parts associated therewith for easily stretching said grid by distortion of the metal thereof to facilitate the freeing of the frozen ice blocks therefrom.

One important the central reaction member which forms a part of the removable grid and remains attached thereto at all times, said reaction member serving to sustain the reaction forces when the grid is stretched by the manually actuated means associated therewith. Another` feature of the invention is the use of this reaction member to press down upon the bottomof the container pan when the division-forming portions of the 'grid are forced upwardly by the manually actuated means. It is thus seen that the reaction member serves two important functions, namely: (l) it serves as a base against which force is applied to force the other portions of the grid and frozen contents upwardly from the pan; and (2) it serves as a base against which force is applied to stretch the stretchable portions of the grid to free the frozen ice blocks therefrom.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a. preferred embodimentA of the presentl invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the freezing container with the removable grid therein innormal freezing position.

Fig. 2 is`a longitudinal vertical section of Fig. 1 but shows the removable grid in side elevation.

Fig. 3 isr a transverse section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 2 but shows the flexfeature of this invention is longitudinally as shown in Figs. 6 and '1.

ible portions of the grid .partially raised from shown stretched longitudinally by the movement of the hand levers to expand the ice pockets.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of Fig. 6, and illustrates the ice-pocket-forming .portions of the grid stretched longitudinally a substantial distance beyond thelength of the central reaction member of the grid.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout.

The container pan I0 is preferably-a seamless drawn metal pan having slightly tapered side walls il and end walls I2. has integral end flanges AI3 whichserve as convenient means for grasping the pan with the lingers for handling same.

The removable grid I5 comprises a-lcentral ,reaction plate I6 and two flexible sheet metal division members Il which lie in close relation to plate I6 on the opposite sides thereof. Each division member Il is preferably made by folding up a continuous strip 4of metal, preferably stainless steel, to the form clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 so that the transverse partitions I8 thereon are each formed by two metal walls 20 integrally joinedtogether at the folds I at their outer edges, but said double walls 20 being separatable by aspringing of the metal thereof when the entire division member II is stretched lother words, the 'strip metal from which'division members I I are formed should possess a certain degree of resiliency or spring action so that when said division member Il is stretched from its normal shape shown best in Fig. 1 to its distorted shape shown best in Fig. 6, it will return again substantlally'to its normal shape by its inherent resiliency. Obviously each pair of walls 20 should not be secured together other than at their outer fold I9 since an important feature of this invention-is the separation of the walls 20 bydistortion of the metal when the division member Il is put in tension by means described below.

The reaction plate It has an integral ear 25 at each end thereof, each ear 25 having a hole'26 therein to receive the pivot pin 7.1by means of which the hand levers 30 are pivoted directly upon the reaction plate I6.

Each division member I1 has fixed to each end thereof, preferably by' spot welding a bearing member 40 having an upwardly projecting lug 4L j The two-lugs 4I at each end of thc grid lie on opposite sides of the ear 25 (see Fig. 4), and each lug 4I has an eccentric bearing 42 therein to receive the actuating eccentrics 43 which are Pan I0 preferablynxed to the hub 3| of hand lever 30, It will now be seen that the pivot pin 21 serves as a stationary pivot relative to the reaction plate 'I6 for the lever 30 and the actuating eccentrics 43 secured thereto. Fig. 2 shows the preferred relative potions of the eccentrics 43 and pivot pin 21 when levers 30 are in their normal down or freezing position. As shownin Fig. 2, the center 44 of eccentrics 43 lies at the same horizontal level with the pivot 21, hence when lever 30 is swung about pivot 21 the eccentrics 43 are also swung about pivot 21 and `this causes the lugs 4I on grid members I1 to move in an arc .about pivot pin 21 as a center. Since lugs 4I are xed to the ends of the flexible metal grid members I1, the ends of grid members I1 are rst moved upwardly and then outwardly relative to reaction plate I6, according to the movement of the center 44 of eccentrics 43 about the pivot 21. Obviously if both levers 30 are actuated at the same time the grid members I1 will be simultaneously raised a short distance relative to reaction plate I6 and elongated by the above-described separation of the two metal Walls 20 comprislngeach of the transverse partitions I8. Fig. shows the end portions of grid members I1 raised and the grid members I1 elongated or stretched according to the illustrated position of levers 30.

APreferably, ybut not necessarily, the opposed grid members I1 are suitably fixed near their longitudinal center to the reaction plate I6, such as by the spot welds 2|. These spot welds 2| will prevent only the 'Icentral portion of the grid members I1 from being raised by the actuation of levers 30 as above described, the raising of the end portions of grid members I1 being readily permitted by the easy vertical flexibility of said grid members after the double transverse walls have been onhr slightly separated. by the stretching of said grid members.

'I'hese spot welds 2| near the longitudinal center of the gridl perform two desirable functions.

mechanism isabove this level andv lene' wm not Y become embedded in the ice at that level. As Vwill be noted in Fig. 2, there is provided a sumcient end clearance 50 between the ends ot grid 4members I1 and the end wall of pan to permit a very considerable raising and elongation of grid members I1 by levers 3l and a resultant loosening of the ice blocks 'before said members I1 contact the end walls of pan I0. In fact it ispreferred that clearance 50 be made suiiicient to prevent any pressure contact of the ends of grid members I1 upon the end walls of pan III, this (1) They require that the total elongation of grid members I1 by the levers 30 be divided approximately equally between the two longitudinal halves of grid members I1; that is to say, the stretching. action accomplished by each lever 30 is applied entirely to that half of the grid members I1 nearest said lever 30, and hence the grid members I1 will be stretched more uniformly throughout their length than they would be if spot welds 2| were omitted.

(2) The central 'spot welds 2| retain the two grid members I1 closely positioned against the reaction plate I6 at all times to form acompact grid unit, yet permitv the desired free relative raising and stretching'movement of said grid members I1 by the hand levers 3U. For instance,

Fig. 5 shows a short central portion of grid members I1 held down by the spot welds 2| but this does not prevent a free and easy raising-and stretching of. all other portions of grid members I1 by distortion thereof, which raising and stretching is suiilcient to break the icebond between all of the ice cubes and the bottom and side walls of pan I0. Fig. 6 shows the emptyl ygrid unit completely removed from the lpan I0 and illustrates how the flexible gridv members' I1 are retained closely adjacent theA reaction'plate I6 by the spot welds 2 I at such atime.

In operation, the compact grid unit is set ,within lpan III as shown in Fig. 2, either before or after pan I0 has been lled with water to the ldesired level. The Water level may be at the top edge of grid members I1 since all the actuating oppose the free elongation of grid members I1 by the actuation of levers 20.'

After the ice is entirely frozen, to remove the frozen ice cubes the tray is removed from the freezing chamber andboth hand levers 30 are pulled upwardly, preferably at the same time. When hand levers 30 reach the approximate p0- sition shown in Fig. 5 the two grid members I1 will have been raised and stretched a sumcient distance 4to free the ice cubes from their frozen bond with pan III and hence the entire grid and ice contents may be then lifted from pan I0. Any further turning movement of levers 30 from their position shown in Fig. 5, without lifting the grid and ice from the pan by hand as ldescribed above, will cause the ends-of grid members I1 to cam upwardly on an inclined ice film (or on the inclined end ywall of pan.

I0 as the case may be) and thus cam the entire grid and ice contents at least partially up out of pan II).

Either of the above described methods of removing the grid and ice contents from pan Il may be used as desired. i y If it be necessary in order to entirely free the ice cubes from the grid, the grid members I1 may be further stretched or elongated after complete removal of the grid from pan I0 slmply by moving the hand levers 30 to their maxi- .mum open position shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

'I'hese Figs. 6 and 7 show the grid member I1` stretched to their maximum length and consequently show the, double metal walls 20 of 'the transverse partitions I8 distorted their maximum degree by the levers 3II. This distortion of the metal walls 26 so expands each of the'icepockets as to free the bond of the ice cubes to the grid members I1 so as to cause them either to fall out or to permit their easy removal` with the lingers. l

The relative degree and timingof'the lifting and stretching of grid members I1 by levers 3l may be changed ,if desiredfsimply by changing the relative positions or pivot pinl 21 and the center 44 ofthe eccentric discs 43, as will be obvious.

The assembling of the various parts oi the grid is as follows. thef'lugs ,4I iixed thereto are properly placed Jon each side of the central reaction plate I6 so that the lugs v4I substantially coincide with the ears 25 on plate I'E (as shown in Fig. 2)'. The separately made small eccentric discs 43 are then separately inserted laterally into their eccentric bearings 42 in lugs 4|. Each of the eccentric discs 43 has an integral rectangular portion 45 which lits within a corresponding recess in the hub 3| of lever 30 and so retains the keccentrics 43 against relative rotation with hub 3|. Hence after a pair of discs 43 are in place with their integral rectangular portions 45 arranged parallel to each other, the hub 3| of lever The two grid .members I1 with 30 is slipped endwise into'place (see Fig. 4) so .that the rectangular portions 45 slide into their corresponding recesses in hub 3l. Next the holes for pin 2l in the jlever hub 3l, the eccentrics 43, and the ear 25 are al1 linedup and thepivot pin 21 inserted therein andk retained in place by a drive fit in hub 3l. I arrangements for xing the eccentrics 43 to.the lever 30 may be used if desired, for instance the lever hub 3 I may bemade in two halves, each half having a laterally projecting eccentric disc 43 integral therewith. However it is important that thesev eccentric discs be made of steel or other metal capable of withstanding the high bearing pressure and wear imposed thereupon. For this reason, in the form specifically illustrated in the drawings, the eccentrics 43 are separately made of steel and inserted into recesses in the die-cast lever 3l).v v

While the embodiment of the present invention'V as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the 'claims which follow;

`What is claimed is as follows:

1. A freezing tray comprising a container pan and a grid within said pan, said grid comprising: a central reaction member, a stretchable grid portion disposed upon each side of said reaction member and atleast partially movable relative thereto, and a lever pivoted upon said Of course other specific ating means reactingl upon said reactionplate Aas a base and actuabl'e to 'urge said division members and serving to partially raise said direaction member and having anV eccentric pivot upon at least one of said grid portions and actuable to stretch said grid portion relative to said reaction member. l

2. A freezing tray comprising a container pan and a grid within said pan, said grid comprising: a central reaction member, a metal grid portion disposed upon each side of said reaction member and at least partially movable relative thereto, and a lever pivoted upon said reaction member and'having an eccentric pivot upon at least one of said grid portions and actuable to urge said grid portion upwardly relative to said reaction member.

3. A freezing tray comprising a container pa and a grid within said pan, said grid comprising: a central reaction member, a stretchable grid portion disposed upon each side of said reaction member and at least partially movable relative thereto, and a lever pivoted upon said reaction member and having an eccentric. pivot upon both of said opposed grid portions and actuablel to stretch both of said grid portions relative to said reaction member.

4. A freezing tray comprising a. container pan and a` grid within said pan, said lgrid comprising: a substantially, vertically disposed reaction plate, a flexible metal grid portion disposed upon each side of said reaction plate and at least partially movable relativethereto, and a lever pivoted upon said reaction plate as a base and having an eccentric pivot upon both voi said opposed gridportions and actuable to ilex both of said grid portions relative to said reaction member.

5.`A freezi tray comprising a container pan and a grid ithin4 said pan, said grid vcomprising: a central substantially vertically extending reaction plate, a flexible metal ice-pocketiorming division member disposed upon each side of said reaction plate and at least partially movablerelative thereto, said division members each being stretchable lin length for increasing theA vision member from said pan and thereafter stretch same, whereby to facilitate removal of the frozen ice blocks.

7. A freezing tray comprising a container pan .and a grid within said pan, said grid comprising: a central substantially .vertically extending reaction plate, a flexible metal ice-pocket forming division member disposed upon each side of said reaction plate and at least partially movable relative thereto,.said division members each being stretcliable in length for increasing they size 'of -the ice-pockets formed thereby, and levers` pivoted upon the opposite 'ends of' said reaction plate respectively, said levers having mechanical stretchable grid portion disposed upon each side i of said reaction member and stretchable relative thereto, and grid-stretching means located ad-v jacent one end portion of said grid and reacting upon said reaction member as a base for stretching said gridportions relative to said reactionmember.

9. A freezing tray comprising a container pan and a unitary grid within said pan removable .from said pan as a unit, said grid comprising:

a substantially vertically disposed reaction plate', a`metal grid portion loosely carried by and disposed adjacent said reaction plate and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and grid-actu-` ber, a stretchable grid portion disposed adjacent said reaction member and at least partially longitudinally movable relative thereto, and a lever pivoted upon said reaction member as a base for mechanically engaging and stretching said grid portion relative to said reaction member.

11. A freezing tray comprising a container pan and a removable grid insertable within said pan,

said grid comprising: a central longitudinally extending substantially vertically disposed reaction plate, a hand lever pivotally mounted upon said plate adjacent one end thereof so as to swing substantially in the plane of said plate, transverse partitions loosely associated with said reaction plate and movable relative thereto, and means connecting said relatively movable transverse partitions to said hand lever for moving said transverse partition relative to said reaction platel whereby to facilitate the removal of the frozen ice blocks.

12. A freezing tray comprising a container pan and a removable grid insertable within said pan, said grid comprising: a central longitudinally extending substantially vertically disposed reaction plate, a hand lever pivotally mount-ed upon said plate adjacent one end thereof so as to swing substantially in the plane of said plate, transverse partitions l'oosely associated with said reaction plate to form a unitary grid structure but rela-` tively movable therewith, and aV force-,multiplying crank mechanism connecting said lever to said relatively movabletransverse partitions for moving said transverse partitions Alongitudinally relative to said reaction plate. p l

13. 'A freezing tray comprising a container pan and a removable grid insertable within said pan,

, said grid comprising: Aa central Ilongitudinally extending substantially vertically disposed reaction plate, a hand lever pivotally mounted upon said plate adjacent one end thereof so asto swing substantially in the plane of said plate, a series of transverse partitions loosely associated with said reaction plate and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and force-multiplying actuating linkage connecting said lever 'to said transverse partitions for moving said transverse partitions longitudinally relative to said reaction plate when said lever is swung upon its pivot on said plate.

14. A freezing tray comprising a container pan and a removable unitary grid structure insertable as a unit in said pan, said grid comprising: a-

substantially vertically disposed reaction plate serving as a relatively rigid back-bonelfor said grid, a. hand-lever pivotally mounted upon said reaction plate adjacent one end thereof, transverse partitions loosely associated with said plate tion loosely carried by and extending transversely to said reaction plate and longitudinally movable lrelative thereto, and a lever pivoted upon said reaction plate as a base and actuatableto move said cross partition longitudinally relative to said reaction plate.

16. A freezing tray comprising a container pan and a unitary grid within said pan removable from said pan as a unit, said grid comprising: a central longitudinally extending reaction. member, a series of cross partitions disposed adjacent lsaid reaction member and longitudinally movable relative to each other and relative to said member, and a leverpivoted upon said reaction member as a-base and actuatable to move said cross partitions longitudinally relative to each other and to said reaction member, whereby to facilitate the removal of the frozen ice blocks.

HARVEY D. GEYER. 

